Buddhist Wats (temples) dot the countryside all over Thailand. This temple has a beautiful sitting golden Buddha who looks out over the Gulf of Thailand. The pictures below don't really show it, but you can see the glimmering gold of Buddha for quite a distance.

I love how stunning a big Buddha is up close.

Besides the picturesque location, this Budhha is special because there is the heart of Buddha here. (well, a replica of Buddha's heart)

Buddhists are continually making offerings to the temples and Buddha in a pledge for merit which will help them in the next life cycle. The goal is to attain enough merit that in your next life you will be born into a better position. They also give offerings before praying to Buddha with a request. A prayer for good grades, a new baby, a new job or the winning lotto numbers are all accompanied by an offering to Buddha. Offerings are often monetary but they can also be gold leaf or lotus flowers or other symbols of respect and almost always lit incense.

I was introduced to the ceremony of prayer specific to Buddha's heart. There is a line of boxes each designated to a day of the week. You must put your money in the box for the day you were born on. Not your birthday but your Birth Day. The amount must be more than your current age.

Behind each donation box is a bowl of small clay Buddha images.

You put your money in the box and take a small clay Buddha tablet.

I recently celebrated my 40th birthday. My friends and family will tell you I have a little (read 'large') complex about reaching this milestone. As I placed 45Baht (Thai currency) into the box I made a little joke about looking too young to put that much money into the box. I was met with a stern look from the caretaker which definitely broke the language barrier to say 'blessing from Buddha are not a time for giggles'.

Returned appropriately solemn for the situation, I removed my shoes and knelt before Buddha's heart and said a short prayer.

I put my small sandstone Buddha into the back of Buddha's heart to rest with all of the other prayers.

I then returned to the front of the heart and knelt to repeat my prayer.

From what I have read about Sidhhartha (the man who became Buddha) he was a gentle and forgiving man. A favourite quote from Buddha is "We are what we think. With our thoughts, we make our world." Considering my prayer was a sincere request for safety on the rest of our trip and for the health and safety of our family at home I trust that Buddha, if he was listening, would forgive my giggles and know my heart was in the right place.

Thank you for this - but can't help wondering, how in heaven's name did you know what your 'birth' day (of the week) was? I would have had to fake it :-) Namaste

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Jan

3/1/2016 09:05:20 am

Buddha as well as senior monks are very forgiving...witnessed by me when I knocked over ashes while kneeling in one of their temples....you are so fortunate to experience these blessings...safe journey!

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Patrick

3/1/2016 09:23:44 am

Liz, just Google "What day of the week was I born?".
Thanks Terri, now I have to read "Siddhartha" all over again. Safe journey! (I am rubbing my belly - which your Buddha seems to lack - for luck).
Love you both.

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Gerry Last

3/1/2016 09:25:43 am

Another intriguing blog...thanks, Teri. I met your parents on Sunday. They were at the Mallorytown talk and I was with Liz Huff who, of course knew them.Sounded like they are really enjoying looking after the Gecko.
Gerry

what a beautiful post, Terri. it's interesting to me how many different faith perspectives have a practice of prayer and leaving a representation of your prayer behind; the catholic church has its prayer candles, when we visited churches in Bavaria 30 years ago, there was a tradition of bringing figures made of wax and leaving those behind with your prayers (the figure depended on the prayer, a frog figure represented a prayer for fertility, for example). i find it encouraging to see that - it lets you know that you're not alone in your prayers and it feels comforting to know that you've left a reminder there for god/buddah/higherpower to respond to.

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Sandy Ellis

3/1/2016 02:48:10 pm

What a beautiful ceremony. Frank and I would go broke. Safe journeys home and much love!!!!

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Lesley

3/2/2016 01:12:16 pm

They always have the most beautiful traditions. I love that it is inclusive to all and that as a traveller you are accepted into their ceremonies... Unless if course you laugh! I hope your wishes come true Terri!